Universal flush valve system

Abstract

The universal flush valve system comprises an universal system connector accommodating seating thereon of both a flapper style flush valve assembly and a canister style flush valve assembly, as required; a plurality of toilet tank specific connector extensions, each of which are threadedly engageable to a bottom portion of the universal system connector and are used to suitably engage the universal system connector to a water flow port in a toilet tank by extending through the port and receiving a suitable cooperating connection element thereover; a sealing device for sealing the required flush valve assembly against the universal system connector; and a locking mechanism for locking the required flush valve assembly onto a top portion of the universal system connector, seating over the sealing device to produce a water tight engagement therebetween.

1. An universal flush valve system comprising:
 an universal system connector accommodating seating thereon of either a flapper style flush valve assembly or a canister style flush valve assembly, as required by a particular embodiment of a toilet tank of either a one or two piece toilet within which the flush valve system is utilized; 
 a toilet tank specific connector extension which is capable of being permanently mechanically engaged to a bottom portion of said universal system connector and used to suitably engage the universal system connector to a corresponding water flow opening in the particular embodiment of toilet tank by extending through the opening and receiving a suitable cooperating connection element thereover; 
 a sealing device for sealing the flush valve assembly against the universal system connector; and 
 a locking mechanism for locking the flush valve assembly onto a top portion of the universal system connector, seating over the sealing device to produce a water tight engagement therebetween. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the flapper style flush valve assembly incorporates a base with a flapper seating on a flapper seat of the base and an overflow tube, the flapper engaging to locking tabs for the flapper provided on the overflow tube. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2  wherein said overflow tube is telescopic. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2  wherein said overflow tube is substantially rectangular in cross section. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 2  wherein the overflow tube comprises two sections, one an outer, lower section and another a telescopic inner, upper section. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5  wherein a releasable clamp is used to maintain the two sections of the overflow tube at a desired height. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6  wherein a seal is seated around the point of juncture between the two overflow tube sections, and the clamp is applied therearound. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein the canister style flush valve assembly is preassembled and incorporates an overflow tube. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8  wherein said overflow tube is telescopic. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8  further including a replaceable seal member for repairing a damaged or corroded sealing surface on a top rim of the connector. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1  wherein a riser to elevate the flush valve assembly above the universal assembly connector is engageable between the universal assembly connector and the flush valve assembly. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11  wherein an O-ring is positioned between the riser and the universal assembly connector to provide a seal therebetween. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 1  wherein the flush valve assembly is engaged onto the connector by a keylock type system. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 1  including an optional riser positionable between the cylinder type flush valve assembly and the connector. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 1  wherein the optional riser is engaged to both the connector and the cylinder type flush valve assembly by a keylock type system. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 1  wherein a lower portion of the connector extension is threaded. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16  wherein a nut is threadedly engaged over the lower threaded portion of the connector extension. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 1  wherein a lower portion of the connector extension is not threaded but has locking lugs thereon. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18  wherein a locking ring that twist locks onto the connector extension at a position above the locking lugs is provided. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of an upper portion of each connector extension is identical. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 1  wherein meter of a lower portion of the connector has a diameter which accommodates passage through the water flow opening of a toilet tank within which the system is installed. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of the universal connector is at least 2 inches. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of the universal connector is up to 4 inches. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 1  wherein a diameter of the water flow opening of a toilet tank is at least 2 inches. 
     
     
       25. The system of  claim 2  wherein the flush valve assembly is rotatable relative to the base to eliminate interference with other structures within the tank.